The Ford Focus ST was the best-selling hot hatch in Europe in the last three months of 2012 according to figures from automotive data intelligence provider Polk, accounting for 44 per cent of all sales during this period - ahead of VW Golf GTI with 33 per cent and Renault Megane Sport with 12 per cent.

Total Focus ST sales in this period were 1,984, making it top-selling hot hatch in the UK as well as Denmark, Norway, Finland, Hungary, Switzerland, Sweden and the Netherlands.

Ford has sold a total of 3,819 new Focus STs in Europe since launch – 74 per cent hatchbacks and 26 per cent wagons. The most popular colour has been Frozen White (41 per cent), followed by Panther Black (28 per cent) and Tangerine Scream (17 per cent).

The third generation Focus ST in Europe went on sale in summer 2012. Equipped with a 2.0-litre EcoBoost 250PS engine, new Focus ST is a global performance car – having launched in North America last year and being introduced in the Asia Pacific regions this year.